Ignitor for gas-engines



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CYRUS W. BALDWIN, OF YONKERS, NEIV YORK.

IGNITOR FOR GAS-ENGINES.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 439,232, dated October 28, 1890.

Application filed August 30, 1838- Sefia] No. 234,216. (No model.)

To aZZ whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, CYRUs W. BALDWIN, a citizen of the United States, residing at Yonkers, in the county of Westchester and State of New York, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Ignitors for Gas-Engines, of which the followingis a specification.

My invention relates to that class of gasengines in which the piston is propelled by the explosions of charges of a mixture of air and gas ignited by electric sparks, the electric current being derived from a generator operated by the engine; and my invention consists in means for starting such engines so as to dispense with the necessity of employing auxiliary appliances to operate the generator in advance of the initial movements of the engine.

In the accompanying drawings, Figure 1 is a partial elevation, in part section, of a gasengine embodying my invention. Fig. 2 is a transverse section through the cylinder and auxiliary starting device.

In gas-engines of the class to which myinvention relates there are always a cylinder A and piston B, connected With the crank of a shaft 0, all upon a suitable bed D, and a dynamo or other suitable mechanical electric generator E is driven by the engine. As shown, a pulley upon the armature of the dynamo bears on the periphery of the fly-Wheel and is driven thereby. The electric ignitor, of any suitable construction, is in electric connection with the dynamo, and, as shown, consists of two terminals 2 3 within the cylinder, one pivoted and in position to be struck by a finger 4 on the piston, whereby it is vibrated away from the other terminal and a spark produced that ignites the charge.

The mode of mixing and introducing the air and gas need not be herein set forth, as my invention is applicable wherever the charge is made and introduced in any manner.

Inasmuch as the dynamo ordinarily derives its motion from the engine, it is generally necessary in the character of engine described to use supplemental means to operate the dynamo to generate a current as the engine is started. This detracts from the efficiency of the engine and is otherwise objectionable. I therefore combine with the engine a supplemental ignitor whereby to secure a proper ignition of the charges independently of the dynamo in starting the engine, While utilizing the dynamo and securing the advantages of electrical ignition when the en gineis in working operation. Different forms of auxiliary ignitors may be employedas, for instance, any of the usual flame ignitors or an incandescent ignitor. I have shown a form of incandescent ignitor in which there is a tube 5, closed at one end and open at the other, which communicates with the ignition-chamber'above the inlet-valve 6, and a burner 7 is arranged adjacent to said tube, so that the flame will heat the tube. The tube is heated prior to starting the engine and the successive charges of mixture are exploded as each is forced into the tube by the backward movement of the piston, and this mode of ignition is employed until the engine is fully in operation and the electric current is properly generated. The flame is then extinguished and the engine operates solely in connection with the generator. By this means all the advantages of electric ignition are obtained without the necessity of any auxiliary means for imparting motion to the generator independently of the engine.

I do not limit myself to any special form of supplemental ignitor, nor confine the use of my invention to the special form of gas-engine shown and described; but

I claim- 1. The combination, with a gas-engine provided with an electric ignitor, a dynamo, and connections with the engine for rotating its armature, of a supplemental independent igniting device foruse in starting the engine, substantially as described.

2. The combination, in a gas-engine, of an electric ignitor, a generator connected to be operated from the movement of the engine, and an independent igniting device, substantially as and for the purpose described.

3. A gas-engine provided with an electric ignitor, an electric generator operated by the engine, and an independent ignitor having a burner, substantially as described.

In testimony whereof I have signed my name to this specification in the presence of two subscribing witnesses.

CYRUS W. BALDWIN.

Witnesses:

WILLIAM F. HARRIGAN, WM. H. SWENY. 

